Guide

What to say in a missed-call text message

The rules for a good missed-call text, three templates you can copy, and what the law in Canada and the US expects of a text about a call someone just made.

The best missed-call text is short, says who you are, admits you missed the call, and gives one next step. Here is how to write one, whether a person sends it or your AI does.

The rules

Say who you are first. The caller may have rung three businesses.
Say you saw the call. "We missed you" beats a greeting that could be sent to anyone.
One next step. Call back, book online, or wait for your call. Not all three.
No selling. A text about a call they just made is a notification. The moment it offers a discount it becomes marketing, which needs consent you do not have.
A way to stop. "Reply STOP to opt out" on every message, and honour it.
Send it once. A second text to someone who did not reply is a nuisance.

Three templates

Hi, this is Northside Plumbing. Sorry we missed your call; we are on a job. We will call you back within the hour. If it is urgent, reply URGENT. Reply STOP to opt out.

Hi from Harbour Physio. We missed your call while we were with a patient. To book, reply with a day that suits you and we will text back times. Reply STOP to opt out.

Hi, it is Maple Auto. Sorry we missed you; the shop is busy today. We will ring you back before we close at 5. Reply STOP to opt out.

What the law expects

In Canada, CASL treats a text responding to the person's own call as a message they asked for, as long as it identifies you, gives a way to contact you, and offers a way to unsubscribe. Keep it about their call.
In the US, the TCPA and the carriers expect the same, plus quiet hours: nothing sent before 8 in the morning or after 9 at night in the recipient's time zone.
Either way, STOP must work.

What Delusia sends

When the AI is switched on, a caller who hangs up without being answered gets this text, with your business name in it:

Hi! You just called Cedar Lane Dental. We're sorry we missed you — someone from our team will get back to you shortly. Reply STOP to opt out.

It is sent once per call, not between 9 at night and 8 in the morning in the caller's time zone, never to a number that has replied STOP, and only to the person who just called. You can turn it off per business.

Questions people ask

Can I add a link to my booking page?

Yes, one link is fine, and the AI can also text a caller one of your links during a call if they agree. A link to a sale is not fine: that is marketing.

Should I text a landline?

No. Texts to landlines fail silently or arrive as a strange voice call. Text only mobile numbers.

Try it on your own number

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More guides: How much does an answering service cost in Canada? · AI receptionist or answering service? · What does a missed call cost? · Is an AI receptionist worth it for a very small business? · How does an AI receptionist put a caller through to a person?